Air India baggage allowance
Updated September 2026
Most full-service carriers cap Economy cabin bags at 7-10 kg. Air India sits at the tight end of that range: 8 kg, with bags over 10 kg checked into the hold rather than allowed onboard. Business and First get more room at 12 kg. Pack your carry-on with this lower number in mind rather than the 10 kg many other airlines allow.
Cabin bag
The standard cabin bag limit is 55 x 35 x 25 cm at 8 kg in Economy, 12 kg in Business/First. Alliance Air, Air India's regional subsidiary, uses a smaller 40 x 30 x 15 cm limit on its own flights. Check your bag against Air India and 52 other airlines with our carry-on checker.
Two different checked baggage systems
Air India's checked baggage splits sharply by route type. On flights to the USA, it uses a piece-based system: 2 bags at 23 kg each in Economy, 2 bags at 32 kg each in Business/First, plus a separate 10 kg allowance for infants. Domestic India routes instead use a weight-based system -- following a policy update, the lowest domestic fare categories get 15 kg total, Flex fares get 25 kg, and Business ranges 25-35 kg depending on the specific fare.
Size limits differ too: domestic and most international Economy bags max out at 273 cm total linear dimensions per piece at 23 kg, while Business/First bags follow the more common 158 cm limit at 32 kg.
Excess baggage fees
On routes to the US, Canada, Europe, or Australia, excess baggage costs USD 40 per kilogram; other international routes charge USD 15 per kilogram. Booking excess baggage through customer service ahead of time gets a 20% discount versus paying at the airport.
Special items and delays
Sporting equipment like golf clubs, skis, and surfboards is charged at 33-50% of the standard excess baggage rate rather than full price. If checked baggage is delayed more than 24 hours on an international flight, Air India offers a flat 3,000 INR reimbursement.
Bottom line
Don't assume a 10 kg cabin bag will clear Air India -- confirm the 8 kg Economy limit before you pack, and check whether your route is domestic (weight-based) or international (piece-based) before budgeting for checked bags. See our lightest carry-on luggage guide for bags that make an 8 kg limit easier to hit.
Sources
LuggageSearch is reader-supported. This page may contain affiliate links — see our disclosure. Airline policies change: always confirm on the airline's own site before flying.
